§ Lord C. BERESFORDasked the Secretary of State for War whether the conditions of employment are exactly the same for pensioners and non-pensioners at Clarence barracks, Portsmouth; whether he is aware that in July, 1911, a general 1590W rise took place in the wages of these men, in which the pensioners received ls. 6d. and non-pensioners 3s.; that in August, 1912, a rise of is. 6d. was granted in the wages of non-pensioners only; and that in January, 1913, a further rise of ls. was granted to the non-pensioners, the pensioners receiving no rise on the last two occasions; and whether, seeing that the pensioners have earned their pensions by previous service to the State, he will explain why these men should have lower wages on account of this pension so earned?
§ Mr. H. BAKERThese employments are reserved for pensioners and are only given to non-pensioners when no suitable pensioner is forthcoming; and the rate of wages paid is such that no man's total receipts shall be less than the recognised rate for labourers in the district. The rapid rise in this rate at Portsmouth in recent years has decreased the advantage in this respect which the pensioner formerly held.